Hi everyone,

I have a problem with outlook 2010. I am trying to import a data file that I have placed on my desk top called outlook.pst. I am getting an error message stating " C:\...\outlook.pst is not an Outlook data file (.pst).

The Outlook.pst is outlook file but its saying is not and outlook file. Is there anything wrong? That sounds weird.

Please post if you have any suggestion. Thank you.

I'm having the same issue when trying to import a .pst file from Outlook 2003 to Outlook 2010, the error being "....pst is not an Outlook data file (.pst)".

If you can't open your Personal Folders file (.pst) or your Offline Folder file (.ost), or you suspect that your .pst or .ost data file is corrupted, you can use the Inbox Repair tool (Scanpst.exe) to diagnose and repair errors in the file.

REPAIR ERRORS BY USING SCANPST.EXE

1.Exit Outlook if it is running.
2.Double-click Scanpst.exe, located at drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE12.
3.In the Enter the name of the file you want to scan box, enter the name of the .pst or .ost file that you want to check, or click Browse to search for the file.
4.To specify the scan log options, click Options, and then click the option that you want.
5.Click Start.
6.If errors are found after the scan is complete, you will be prompted to start the repair process to fix the errors.

A backup file is created during the repair process. To change the default name or location of this backup file, in the Enter name of backup file box, enter a new name, or click Browse to look for the file that you want to use.

7.Click Repair.
8.Start Outlook by using the profile that contains the .pst file that you tried to repair.
9.On the Go menu, click Folder List.

In the Folder List, you may see a folder named Recovered Personal Folders that contains your default Outlook folders or a Lost and Found folder. The recovered folders are usually empty, because this is a rebuilt .pst file. The Lost and Found folder contains the folders and items recovered by the Inbox Repair tool. Items that are missing from the Lost and Found folder cannot be repaired.

10.If you see a Recovered Personal Folders folder, you can create a new .pst file, and drag the items in the Lost and Found folder into the new .pst file. When you have finished moving all the items, you can remove the Recovered Personal Folders (.pst) file, including the Lost and Found folder, from your profile.

Willis,

If you are going to File -> Open -> Import you are in the wrong place.

You need to go to File -> Info -> Account Settings -> Click the Change Folder button.
Follow the prompts from there. Attachment 473

RetiredGeek,

Welcome to our Win 8 Forum. It's nice to see you here. You will find many areas where your expertise will be helpful. Thanks for stopping by.

The Terminator!

Originally Posted by willis

The Outlook.pst is outlook file but its saying is not and outlook file. Is there anything wrong? That sounds weird.

The error "filename.pst is not an Outlook data file (.pst)" means the file is corrupted or invalid and Outlook is unable to detect or read the file. Whenever a .pst file gets corrupted, it becomes inaccessible and Outlook can't open such .pst file. In such situation SCANPST.EXE should be used to fix corruption from .pst file.

In MS Outlook 2010, the SCANPST.EXE is located here: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14

Run the exe and select corrupt .pst file. The selected .pst file will be scanned within a few seconds and repaired, if possible. Because sometimes SCANPST.EXE may fail to fix corruption if file is severely corrupted. In such situation one can use third-party PST repair tools to fix corruption from .pst files. I can recommend SysInfoTools PST File Repair software here. It fixes severely corrupted .pst files and recovers maximum possible data from them.
One may check its free demo version before buying full version.
Thanks.

Outlook PST Repair provides Outlook users an easy workaround for PST file corruption. The tool effectively repairs corruption in your Outlook Personal Folders file, thereby recovering all your business emails containing crucial and sensitive information. The software follows a safe and lucid recovery approach when dealing with damaged or inaccessible Outlook data files. Free download this software use this link pst-mailrecovery.blogspot.com

“Outlook.pst is not an outlook data file” this error can take place due to various annoying issues like virus attack, firewall, problem in SMTP connection etc. Before going to further just check all this thing and if they all are set in a right manner and still you are getting the same error message on your screen then switch to an free inbuilt utility provided by Microsoft by the name of Inbox repair tool. Path of scanpst.exe C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14

This type to error generally occur when your outlook pst file is corrupted or face many viral infection, or for the main reasons is deleted main files or not support any files or folders in your outlook version or you entered wrong password many times. So, you need to solve this error immediately because you cannot fix this error as soon, then you may also face many other problems. Hence, you can use these follow steps to easily solving of this problem from your system:

• Use Scanpst.exe file or inbox repair tool, that given by Microsoft.
• Ensure the address you have entered in the Form field is correct.
• Ensure the conformation of your account settings.
• Reboot your computer in safe mode.
• If you have set the password in your outlook, and you forgot then you may also use pst password recovery tool to easily recover your password.

Hope above these steps are very helpful for solving your issues. You may also visit: pstpasswordrecoveryoutlook.com

First try to repair your PST file, it seems like it has encountered corruption errors. Use inbox repairer for repairing any errors. Inbox repair tool can easily identify and fix low level issues but, if your PST file is highly corrupted then you would need to repair and recover your PST file data using an authentic PST recovery tool. Here's one that I know works best in case of PST file errors, that's SysyInfoTools PST Recovery tool. It comes with a demo version so chances are less that your problem can be sorted out as early as possible. You can also visit their website by typing sysinfotools.com